What cyber criminals want with your health record

Healthcare data has become the primary target for hackers across the world. Last year, it accounted for nearly 67 percent of stolen records—that’s 112,832,082 records in the U.S. alone. This year is not looking any better, as it already accounts for 34 percent of breaches and stolen records, second only to government-related breaches.

Why are healthcare organizations being targeted? For one, money talks. Criminal hackers can demand $20 for health insurance credentials and $50 or more for medical records on the black market. This is huge compared to the one to two dollars they can ask for credit card information. Just imagine you’re Homer Simpson and you find a peanut in the sofa. Someone offers you $10 for it. Do you eat it for the immediate satisfaction or do you sell it? The answer is easy.